Category Archive

With the presidential campaign getting all the attention this year, it may have gone relatively unnoticed that 2016 was a very good year for the ethanol industry. Actually, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says it was a “terrific” year – with record production, record demand and record exports of distillers feed. Dinneen says the highlight of the …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final renewable fuel volume requirement increases under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. “By implementing the program enacted by Congress, we are expanding the nation’s renewable fuels sector while reducing our reliance on imported oil,” said Janet McCabe, the agency’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. Under the …

The new president of the National Corn Growers Association says growing demand continues to be a big priority for farmers. “The crop is bigger than we’ve seen before, we just keep being able to produce these records,” said Wesley Spurlock, a corn farmer from Texas who just took over as NCGA president at the beginning of October. “Demand is what …

Addressing the issue of sustainability with international buyers of U.S. grains at the Export Exchange 2016 was Field to Market data and technology director Paul Hishmeh. Field to Market focuses on quantifiable sustainability in agriculture and Hishmeh brought an overview of what that looks like to the conference, which is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable …

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen had the challenge of talking about the U.S. presidential election to an international audience at Export Exchange 2016 this week in Detroit. “I know half of you are sick to death of the election and just want it over, and half of you are watching in somewhat bemused amazement wondering what is …

Hundreds of buyers and sellers of U.S. coarse grains and ethanol co-products have arrived in Detroit for Export Exchange 2016 and even though they are from more than 30 countries they are busy making connections and building relationships. The event, which has been held every two years since 2010, is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable …

Today is National Farmers Day. Just in time to celebrate our American farmers, country star Blake Shelton teaches Late Night Host Jimmy Fallon to milk a cow. I don’t know about you, but I definitely have more appreciation for farmers after watching this! As Twitter blows up today in honor of our growers, several quotes stand out. In the words …

We’ve been going to the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to help the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) promote ethanol to bikers for six of the last eight years. This year was the 76th rally and the 35th anniversary of the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground, which is home to many of the half million bikers who attend each year. This year, two …

Dana Siefkes-Lewis (pictured on right) is the Chief Administrative Officer for Redfield Energy, an ethanol plant in Redfield, SD. She is also the President of the South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, board member for the Renewable Fuels Association and a great spokesperson for the industry. This year Dana visited the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to work with other RFA staff and …

Today is the 11th anniversary of the day the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was signed into law. Ethanol advocates are celebrating the energy policy stressing that the legislation provides Americans with increasing energy security, cleaner air and more affordable fuel options at the pump. Biofuel advocates are noting that in nearly a decade, the RFS continues to drive U.S. job …